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Thing is AM3 is backwards compatible with Socket AM2. You can use Socket AM3 processors in a Socket AM2 motherboard. AMD has already stated that the next socket, presumably AM4, will also be backwards compatible in the same way. You should be able to put a socket AM4 processor on a Socket AM3 motherboard.

AMD can do this because their memory controller is on the chip itself. Socket AM3 processors contain both a DDR2 memory controller for Socket AM2, but a DDR3 controller for Socket AM3.

You can't do this with most Intel chips because all of the consumer chips so far depend on an external memory controller.

Intel's memory controller also means you are heavily limited on processor upgrades. Case in point is my own Intel D975XBX motherboard. Despite it being a Socket 775 motherboard, the best processor I can put in is the dual core x6800 : http://processormatch.intel.com/COMP...rdname=d975xbx

I simply do not have the option of any quad-core processors, or even many of the Dual-core updates on Core 2, even with a new bios.

By comparison, most stock AM2 motherboards could run a Quad-Core phenom, if the vendor supplied a bios update.

***

Now, this is going to change. Intel is going to start releasing processors with the memory controller on chip. This will give Intel the ability to have full socket compatibility, and be able to offer forward compatible sockets.

Thing is AM3 is backwards compatible with Socket AM2. You can use Socket AM3 processors in a Socket AM2 motherboard. AMD has already stated that the next socket, presumably AM4, will also be backwards compatible in the same way. You should be able to put a socket AM4 processor on a Socket AM3 motherboard.

Close but not quite.

AM3 Processors are compatible with some AM2 Mothboards (very small list)
AM3 Processors are compatible with AM2+ motherboards (BIOS update is needed)

No I didn't miss the context. It's not only the BIOS that is holding AM2 motherboards from running a AM3 chip. Many AM2 motherboards suffered from poor power stages that could not handle the higher current requirements that a AM3 chip has (most notably the early AMD chipset MB's in mATX form). This is why AMD is not certifying any AM2 motherboard for use with a AM3 processor.